Whirley Pop Stainless Steel vs Aluminum? Which popcorn maker to choose?
Choosing between Whirley Pop Stainless Steel and Aluminum boils down to priorities. Stainless steel offers durability, easy cleaning, and induction compatibility, but at a higher cost. Aluminum is budget-friendly, features a non-stick coating, but may face longevity challenges. Consider your preferences and priorities to make the right choice for your popcorn-making needs.
You must be confused about which is best between the Whirley Pop stainless steel vs aluminum. Honestly speaking, it’s a confusing topic; for most people, the company (Whirley) is the same, so they think material doesn’t matter, but that’s a mistake.
Since I’ve used both, I know well how these materials affect the results and your efficiency of cooking. I’m not saying that one is bad and the other is good; it’s just that they have pros and cons, which I’ll discuss below in detail.
The pros and cons will show you whether you should go with the Whirley stainless steel popper or the aluminum popper. So what are you waiting for? Scroll down the page now to know the answer.
| Feature | Whirley Pop Stainless Steel | Whirley Pop Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel | Aluminum |
| Durability | Highly durable, resistant to rust | Durable but can be prone to denting and scratching; non-stick coating may wear off |
| Ease of Use | Easy to use, induction hob compatible | Easy to use, non-stick coating for convenience, not induction hob compatible |
| Gear Material | Metal gears | Choice of Nylon or Metal gears |
| Cleaning | Easy to clean due to stainless steel construction | Easy to clean, but non-stick coating may pose issues over time |
| Price | More expensive | More affordable |
| Compatibility | Compatible with induction hob | Not compatible with induction hob |
| Performance | Efficient stirring mechanism for even popping | Efficient popping, quick popping time |
| Versatility | Versatile for various popcorn flavors and styles | Versatile for various popcorn flavors and styles |
| Issues | Prone to rust | Non-stick coating may wear off over time |
Whirley Pop Stainless Steel – An Overview
Whirley Popper stainless steel is made with stainless steel material. If you compare it to the aluminum one, they’ll look the same. There’s no such big difference in the design; however, the material plays an important role in how easy to use the popper is and how long it will last.
According to my research, stainless steel is a durable material. Anything that’s made of stainless steel easily last year; that’s the reason why most people prefer stainless steel utensils for day-to-day use.
Alongside durability, the popper is easy to use. As you can see in the image below, it’s designed flawlessly. From the top lid to the bottom base, it’s completely made of stainless steel, which means cleaning will be easy.
Due to the bottom stainless steel flat base, the popper will be compatible with the induction hob. It has a wooden crank handle, so while making popcorn, you’ll be able to hold the lid without worrying about the safety of your hand.
When it comes to performance, I’ve not noticed any issue with it. It features a stirring mechanism that ensures every kernel is evenly coated with oil and heated evenly, resulting in fluffy, flavorful popcorn. I don’t think a popcorn lover can ask for anything else.
Pros
- Durable stainless steel construction
- An efficient stirring mechanism for even popping
- Easy to use, no special skills required
- Compatible with induction hob
- Easy to clean.
- 25 years warranty.
- Versatile for various popcorn flavors and styles
Cons
- It’s not dishwasher safe.
- Prone to rust.
- It’s expensive.
Whirley Pop Aluminum – An Overview
The Whirley Pop Aluminum is a popular popcorn popper known for its efficient popping performance and high-quality construction. The design of the popper isn’t different from the stainless steel; they’re the same with different materials.
The first difference besides the material is this one is affordable compared to the Whirley Pop Stainless steel. Also, you may find it in red color while the stainless steel popper comes in silver color.
Although aluminum is a good material, it’s not as good as stainless steel. The surface is non-stick coated, but it won’t last forever. Once the coating wears off, you’ll have trouble cleaning the popper. In addition to that, you can’t use it on an induction hob.
Apart from these issues, Whirley Pop Aluminum is a good option. Its performance is great, similar to the stainless steel popper, which makes it a convenient and portable choice for popcorn lovers.
Pros
- Easy to use, with a simple hand-crank mechanism
- Quick popping time, making large batches in minutes
- Even heating for consistent popping results
- Excellent performance and 25 years of warranty
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Durable and safe to use
- It’s an affordable option.
Cons
- Aluminum is not as durable and strong as stainless steel.
- The non-stick coating comes off after some time.
- It’s not dishwasher safe.
- Not compatible with induction.
Whirley Pop Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum – Key-Differences
Here are the main key differences between the Whirley Pop Stainless Steel and Aluminum. For your ease, I’ll discuss each point, including the durability, quality, ease of use, and how easy it’s to clean. Let’s get into the details!
Durability and quality
The first difference I’ve noticed is the durability. Both poppers are made of different materials, stainless steel and aluminum, so it’s obvious that their lifelines won’t be the same.
Stainless steel is considered one of the most durable materials all around the world. It can easily withstand high heat and a tough environment. Products made with stainless steel won’t break easily, nor they’re prone to rust.
On the other hand, aluminum is also durable but not as compared to stainless steel. Aluminum can be prone to denting and scratching, especially with rough handling. Most importantly, the non-stick coating may wear off over time, affecting its longevity.
Hence, if you’re of those who prefer durable products, the best choice for you will be the stainless steel Whirley Pop.
Easy to use & versatility
The comparison of ease of use between the Whirley Pop Stainless steel and aluminum is quite difficult. I can’t say that one is easy to use and the other is not because personal preference matters.
For example, I always prefer using stainless steel Whirley Pop because it’s easy to clean, and I can easily use it on an induction hob. At the same time, my sister loves Whirley Pop Aluminum.
The reason behind her choosing the aluminum one is she doesn’t have an induction hob at home, nor is she planning to get one. Additionally, it’s affordable, and the non-stick coating on the Aluminum Whirley Pop is a blessing for her.
Therefore, you have to think about what features you’ll like. Do you want to get a Popper that’s less messy and has a non-stick coating? Or do you prefer having a durable and easy-to-clean, induction-compatible Whirley Pop?
Whirley Pop nylon vs. metal gear
The gear is the third important difference between the Whirley Pop stainless steel and aluminum. It’s the part that helps rotate the popcorn kernels during the popping process.
The material of this part matters a lot because it affects the durability and efficiency of popping. Bear in mind if you’re getting Whirley Pop stainless steel, you’ll get metal gear; there’s no other choice. In contrast, with Whirley Pop aluminum, you can select whether you want to have nylon gear or metal gear.
Here are the differences between the Whirley Pop nylon and metal gear. They’ll help you understand which is best and which one you should select.
- Metal gears – Whirley Pop metal gears are strong and can withstand high temperatures, but they’re prone to rust. Most importantly, if you’ve used nylon gear, you’ll feel that metal gears are a little tough and don’t work smoothly like nylon gears.
- Nylon gears – These gears work smoothly. You can easily turn it in without putting in a lot of your effort. Other best features are, nylon gears are rust-resistant and affordable compared to metal gears. On the downside, nylon gears aren’t durable and stronger like metal.
Easy to clean
I feel both Whirley Pops are easy to clean; the issue is how long they’ll remain the same. As you know, stainless steel is one of the materials that are known for ease of cleaning. You can easily clean the surface without putting in extra effort.
While that’s not the case with aluminum Whirley Pop. Although it’s not difficult to clean, you’ll face a lot of issues when the non-stick coating wears over time. In short, in the long term, the stainless steel Whirley Pop wins.
The price range of the products
Last but not least, the price tag of these Whirley Pops isn’t the same. Despite offering the same features, capacity, and performance, there’s a big difference. The Whirley Stainless Steel Pop is more expensive than the Aluminum Pop.
Hence, if you have a budget problem, you should go with the second option, Whirley Pop Aluminum.
Whirley Pop Stainless Steel or Aluminum – Which One to Choose?
The decision about which one is better, Whirley Pop stainless steel vs. aluminum, depends on personal preferences. Know that the main features like the capacity and performance are exactly the same.
You can cook about 6 quarts of popcorn, but things about how durable the popper is and how easy it is to clean are different.
If I sum up everything, the stainless steel Whirley Pop is durable, induction compatible, easy to clean, and easy to use but prone to rust and expensive.
Whirley Pop aluminum is less expensive, has a non-stick coating, and is easy to use. However, the coating will come off, and you can’t use it on induction. So, in the end, you have to decide which features are more important to you and on which you’re ready to compromise.
FAQs
Is Whirley Pop dishwasher safe?
Whirley Pop aluminum and stainless steel aren’t dishwasher safe. It’s better to use warm water and dish soap to clean the popper.
How do you use a stainless steel Whirley Pop?
Here’s how you can use a stainless steel Whirley Pop.
1- Gather all necessary items and put the popper on the stove.
2- Preheat the Whirley Pop to medium heat and add oil.
3- Pour the popcorn kernels into the Whirley Pop.
4- Close the lid and rotate the metal gear continuously.
5- Once the popping slows, open the lid and check.
6- Take out all the popcorn and enjoy.
How do you season a Whirley popcorn popper?
If you have an aluminum Whirley popcorn popper, you must season it before use. Here’s how you can do this:
1- First, wash the popper, and let it dry.
2- Put it on the stove and add one tablespoon of oil to it.
3- Hold and tilt the pan all the way so the oil can go everywhere.
4- Leave the popper on the stove until the oil becomes hot.
5- Then remove it and let it cool down.
6- Afterward, clean the popper with a paper towel, and it’s ready to use.
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